Community news|29/01/18

From policy to practice: OSH in micro and small enterprises in Europe

Home > The news of EUROGIP and occupational risks in Europe > From policy to practice: OSH in micro and small enterprises in Europe

Two reports by EU-OSHA describe policies, strategies, programmes and measures to help micro and small enterprises (MSEs) improve occupational safety and health (OSH), and give 44 vivid examples of good practices in 12 EU countries.

This is the result of the third phase of the three-year SESAME project (2014-2017) and it is the theme of a seminar held in Bilbao on 25 January in the presence of Marianne Thyssen, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility.

The examples illustrate how various OSH intermediaries, authorities and institutions can establish contact with MSEs and support them. Although “there is no universal solution to ensure the safety and health of workers in the smallest workplaces, a combination of various tools and initiatives, adapted to the specific needs of each enterprise, will probably be more efficient and effective”, according to the Agency. 

It should be remembered that half of the European labour force works in MSEs and that statistics and studies show that ensuring good OSH for it is a real challenge.

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